The icon of Nativity
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Celebrating nativity
Welcome to my web page!
Christmas is coming soon. Humanity - or at least a large part of it- has already started preparations for its celebration. Gifts, ornaments, decoration, organising dinners or parties and family reunions. We are so busy getting ready for the "Perfect Christmas" that we forget what Christmas is, what and why we celebrate and how we should celebrate. Drowned in plastic ornaments and artificial lights we forget THE LIGHT. We forget the humble, noiseless arrival of God to earth and its meaning.
In this web page I would like to introduce you to the painting of Christ's birth in Orthodox Iconography hoping that, in my way, I will contribute to reminding and being reminded of what took place in that dark night, in the little village of Bethlehem, when earth and sky bent down to bow to the King of Kings.
The following explanations and analysis of the icons are only a tiny sample of this magnificent religious Art which instructs people to the deep spiritual truths of Christianity.
I wish to each and everyone of you to live Christ's Birth in your heart and radiate it to your surroundings!
Christmas is coming soon. Humanity - or at least a large part of it- has already started preparations for its celebration. Gifts, ornaments, decoration, organising dinners or parties and family reunions. We are so busy getting ready for the "Perfect Christmas" that we forget what Christmas is, what and why we celebrate and how we should celebrate. Drowned in plastic ornaments and artificial lights we forget THE LIGHT. We forget the humble, noiseless arrival of God to earth and its meaning.
In this web page I would like to introduce you to the painting of Christ's birth in Orthodox Iconography hoping that, in my way, I will contribute to reminding and being reminded of what took place in that dark night, in the little village of Bethlehem, when earth and sky bent down to bow to the King of Kings.
The following explanations and analysis of the icons are only a tiny sample of this magnificent religious Art which instructs people to the deep spiritual truths of Christianity.
I wish to each and everyone of you to live Christ's Birth in your heart and radiate it to your surroundings!
WHAT ARE ICONS?
Icons are religious paintings originating in the Byzantine years. Their technique differs from that of the Western European religious paintings, even though Byzantine artists had a great influence on Rennaissance Art.Initially the purpose of icons was to instruct illiterate people about the Scriptures. Scenes of Christ's life and images from the Old Testament as well as saints and martyrs were painted on the walls or on portable icons.
Icons form part of the ritual of Christian Orthodox church: body, eyes, ears and nose, together with heart and spirit participate in it. Paintings, chanting and insence pacify the mind in order to prepare it for the divine liturgy. In the candle- lit interior of the temple the figures depicted on the icons become friendly and benevolent presences radiating spiritual light.
Meaning of the word icon
The word "icon" comes from the greek verb "eiko", meaning "resemble". The phrase "God created man in his image and likeness" is actually in Greek: "God created man in his own icon and likeness".
For more information read the interpretation of the word Icon on Wikipedia
For more information read the interpretation of the word Icon on Wikipedia
Reading the icon of Nativity
The Icon of Nativity holds a principal place in Orthodox Iconography. It contains historical and symbolic elements which illustrate the Mystery of God's Encarnation.The Birth takes place in a dark cave, symbol of the prechristian, paganistic world and of the world of Death that Christ illuminated with his Resurrection. The baby Christ , placed in the middle of the painting, is covered with a piece of clothe which evokes the clothe covering the dead body of Lazarus and implies His death.
In the background, the summit of the triangle shaped mountain is a symbol of the ascendence to the Heavenly Jerusalem.
THE VIRGIN MARY
The figure of the Virgin Mary is predominant in the painting as was her role in God's plan of salvation. The artist paints her in the centre of the icon , and her proportions are different from the rest of its elements.She is placed in the heart of the hill since she is "the mountain through which Christ has arisen". She is depicted in close relationship with Him and at the same time at a distance, due to the knowledge of His Divinity. She looks serious and pensive, as if she had a premonition of the sword that would penetrate her heart.
Apart from her and the Divine Child, only two animals are in the cave, a referrence to Isaias prophecy: "Only the animals recognised me and not my people".
JOSEPH
Joseph sits far from the cave. In this way Byzantine Art implies the fundamental idea of the immaculate conception.He looks pensive as if he were still tortured by suspicions about Mary's integrity. Very often there is a sheperd talking to him, a symbol of Satan provoking these thoughts.
THE SHEPHERDS
The first humans to whom the angels communicated the news of Christ's birth were the shepherds.Simple and pure- hearted people, they were able to conceive from the very beginning the great importance of this event.
They are usually depicted playing glorifying music
THE THREE KINGS
They were led by it to the humble place were Christ was born to bow to Him, offer their gifts and celebrate with the sheperds.
The Kings' ages are different, as Christ's Light illuminates people of all ages.
THE ANGELS
The Angels stand up, noble and magnificent, dressed in their ancient garments, hands covered, in postures and gestures that demonstrate respect to the Child.They are not painted inside the cave but they stand outside it so that the main theme of the icon is not diminished.
The angelic powers glorify the Lord. Some of them announce the great event to the shepherds.
TIME
The particularity of the orthodox representation of time and space is that although the events that surround the Birth of Christ took place in different moments and places, they are illustrated as if happening at the same time.
This is a very important point, as it represents the transcending of the three-dimensional natural space and time. The place where the events are taking place is a continuous Here, a perpetual, glorifying Present.
This is a very important point, as it represents the transcending of the three-dimensional natural space and time. The place where the events are taking place is a continuous Here, a perpetual, glorifying Present.
Books on icons
How does the greek orthodox approach of religious painting appeal to you?
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AlleyCatLane
Dec 16, 2011 @ 2:44 pm | delete
- Wonderful lens. I was not familiar with this version of Christ's birth. Blessed.
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Tipi
Nov 23, 2011 @ 5:24 pm | delete
- This is beautiful in every possible way and so very well explained for those who are and are not orthodox...excellent!
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Helenee
Jul 26, 2011 @ 10:01 am | delete
- Bravo, Chryssanthi! As a Greek Orthodox to another, I can say you have explained very clearly Byzantine iconography.
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sponias
Apr 14, 2011 @ 10:40 pm | delete
- Your work is admirable! I'm Orthodox because I was baptized in the Orthodox Church, but I'm also Catholic because I studied in a Catholic school in Brazil, where I was born. My parents are Greek, and this is why I'm Greek too. However, my heart is Brazilian.
I feel I belong more to the Catholic Church because it is familiar to me. However, I like many aspects of the Orthodox Church, like the icons. Catholic Churches became too empty in our time. In the past they had many statues and icons, but modernism is affecting them, and there are no icons in the modern Catholic Churches. You find only a cross near the altar, and nothing else. I don't like this emptiness. I love icons!
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WildFacesGallery
Feb 8, 2011 @ 3:13 pm | delete
- I had been to this lens before but have returned to bless it as I'm the Fine Arts Angel. :)
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Hello squidoo addicts! My name is Chryssanthi. I have studied music (Byzantine and European) and foreign languages. I believe that languages and music... more »
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Nativity of our Lord Icon with sheets of Gold (Lithography) ( 4x5 inches )
Amazon Price: $62.67 (as of 06/01/2012)
Although badly lit, this icon painting respects all the rules of icon painting in general and of the nativity painting in particular.
It is half hand painted and half printed. It has been worked very carefully, as indicated by the way the leaf of gold is applied and by the certificate on its back.
Icons, apart from being a devotional item, are ornamental objects too . They can also be an original gift for people who love religious art.
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